Tinnitus is an abnormal, chronic ringing, buzzing, roaring or clicking noise in the ear. It usually affects older people, but can occur at any age. According to herbalist David Hoffmann, the most common causes of tinnitus are noise damage to the inner ear and hearing loss related to age. Stress and muscle tension often accompany and exacerbate tinnitus, so any natural cure must also include a stress remedy. Herbal tincture mixtures can address the tinnitus, and herbal teas can relieve the stress.
Directions
Step 1
Mix equal parts of each tincture in a clean bottle or glass jar with a lid. Mix enough to last one week. Store in the refrigerator if the tinctures are non-alcoholic.
Step 2
Drop 5 ml of the tincture mixture into one-quarter cup of water. Use an eyedropper with ml marks to measure, or use measuring spoons or cups with ml marks.
Step 3
Drink this dose three times a day for one week.
Step 4
Make a tea with the valerian root by infusing one or more teaspoons in one cup of boiled water for 15 minutes.
Step 5
Cool and drink. Drink a cup of the tea two or three times a day.
Tips and Warnings
- Try masking the noise of tinnitus with music or "white noise," background noise from a fan or other low-level sound. This may bring relief until the herbs begin to work. Keep music, television and noises at a low, tolerable level to avoid further damage to your inner ear. Buy tinctures made from plants that are certified organically grown and custom wildcrafted if possible. This will assure that the tincture will not contain harmful chemicals and that the plants have been harvested responsibly. Buy valerian root in bulk rather than prepackaged in a teabag. The bulk variety costs less and will allow you to adjust the amount depending on your preference.
- See your doctor before attempting to treat tinnitus to make sure there are no serious underlying condition. Tinctures can contain alcohol. Do not take these herbals if you are pregnant, since the berberine in goldenseal may cause uterine contractions. Goldenseal is not safe to take while breastfeeding. Do not use goldenseal for long periods of time since it can decrease vitamin B absorption. Do not take this mixture if you are taking anticoagulant medicine or aspirin, since ginkgo can increase the risk of bleeding. Do not take this mixture if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, or any type of heart problem. Avoid caffeine drinks if you have tinnitus, as they can constrict blood vessels and accentuate your tinnitus. Do not grind your teeth, as this can cause joint dysfunction and stress in the mandible and lead to tinnitus. Consult your doctor before taking any herbal products.
Things You'll Need
- Tincture of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
- Tincture of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- Tincture of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
- Dried valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)
References
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003.
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